Patent US2829673A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US20030195793A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated online design and analysis of marketing research activity and data
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 2002-04-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2022-04-12
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a method, system and computer program product for automating the design of online marketing research activity, its deployment and the analysis and reporting of the obtained data, which comprises identifying the desired marketing research objectives, determining the marketing information required to meet said marketing research objectives, selecting the most appropriate research approach design, deciding the target group and costs for effectively deploying said marketing research approach design, deploying said marketing research approach design including dynamically modifying said research approach design and/or target group of participants, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting the findings.
Inventors
- 👤 Vivek Jain
- 👤 Parul Mittal
- 👤 Vikas Agarwal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:55
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0201; G06Q30/0203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 102
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
1 . A method for automating the design of online marketing research activity, its deployment and the analysis and reporting of the obtained data comprising: identifying the desired marketing research objectives, determining the marketing information required to meet said marketing research objectives, selecting the most appropriate research approach design, deciding the target group and costs for effectively deploying said marketing research approach design, deploying said marketing research approach design including dynamically modifying said research approach design and/or target group of participants, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting findings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
1 . A method for automating the design of online marketing research activity, its deployment and the analysis and reporting of the obtained data comprising: identifying the desired marketing research objectives, determining the marketing information required to meet said marketing research objectives, selecting the most appropriate research approach design, deciding the target group and costs for effectively deploying said marketing research approach design, deploying said marketing research approach design including dynamically modifying said research approach design and/or target group of participants, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting findings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
2 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said identification of desired marketing research objective is by selecting from predefined objectives and/or their combinations and/or inter-relationships.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
3 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said marketing information is determined by mapping each said objective to a set of data analysis techniques, identifying associated data requirement, determining which required information is not available in existing data repositories, and the desired format of such missing data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
4 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said research approach design is selected by choosing from a repository of research designs based on said marketing information, computed cost of deployment including cost of personalization and incentivisation, and value of marketing information to be obtained.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
5 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said deployment is by adaptively adjusting the number and selection of participants and/or dynamically modifying said research design to suit an individual participant such that maximum information value is obtained at minimal cost.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
6 . A method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said predefined objectives include sales forecast, product preference test, advertising campaign effectiveness studies, new product acceptance and potential, pricing studies, study of business trends, desired feature enhancement to a product, market share analysis, studies of coupons, marketing campaign design, and market structure study to spot new opportunities.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
7 . A method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said data analysis techniques include conjoint analysis, segmentation using clustering based on attribute importance of product features, and collaborative filtering or demographic segmentation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
8 . A method as claimed in claim 3 including an objective-technique map for using a supervised learning technique for analysis of participant information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
9 . A method as claimed in claim 4 including incentive, utility and gain values for each participant associated with each said research design.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
10 . A method as claimed in claim 4 including the use of previous customer history of purchases, responses to research designs, click-stream information and any other available data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
11 . A method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said incentivisation is based on the value of information from the customer and the cost of collection of said information including the cost of said incentive.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
12 . A method as claimed in claim 5 including selecting said participants based on cost of reaching the participant, cost of incentives offered to ensure participation, the probability of obtaining a response and the cost of analysing and using the information collected.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
13 . A method as claimed in claim 5 including the use of adaptive re-sampling technique for predicting a new participants' class and computing the uncertainty index for each participant as well as the total uncertainty index for all the participants.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
14 . A method as claimed in claim 5 including determining said incentives optimally, based on the history of said participants responses to said research designs, probability of said participant responding to a given incentive, value of information expected to be received and cost of conducting the research on said participant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
15 . A method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein participant selection is performed incrementally until a specified termination condition is reached.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
16 . A method as claimed in claim 5 including computation of the value of the information expected from said participant using Bayes decision theory to compute expected incremental payoff from each participant, the total expected payoff, and the decline in uncertainty.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
17 . A method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said mapping is performed iteratively with merchant interaction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
18 . A method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said mapping is implemented using an incremental learning algorithm to improve output.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
19 . A method as claimed in claim 3 using a selected one or more out of a plurality of approaches to determine required data, said selection being performed by said merchant based on cost and merit of each approach.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
20 . A method as claimed in claim 1 including learning techniques for identifying desired marketing research objective, determining marketing information required, and selecting the most appropriate research approach design, based on findings and merchant feedback.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
21 . A method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said existing data repositories are available online either at all times or periodically or at specified time frames.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
22 . A method as claimed in claim 5 incorporating participant preferences in responding to various research designs and/or participant profile as a basis for selection of participants wherein profile includes expected response time, previous history of purchases, usage of coupons, response to advertisements and research designs, click-stream information and any other participant specific information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
23 . A method as claimed in claim 5 incorporating the value of information as a function of the best prediction model from among several prediction models.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
24 . A method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein said payoff is computed based on one or more repetitive game(s).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
25 . A method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said deployment is over multiple participant sets each set being determined by selection techniques,
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
26 . A method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein participant selection uses incremental learning algorithms and/or predictive techniques and/or learning tools to improve output.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
27 . A method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein incentivisation uses incremental learning algorithms to improve output.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
28 . A method as claimed in claim 1 using a plurality of marketing research approach designs, a different marketing research approach design being used for each participant based on ranking according to expected gains.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
29 . A method as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said termination condition is based on a threshold on uncertainty or rate of change of uncertainty or information value or rate of change of information value
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
30 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the research approach design consists of one or a combination of an experimental design to study the response to an advertisement, coupon or product recommendation and/or classification of participants and/or survey(s).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
31 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the research approach design consists of a set of independent sub-sets of research approach designs.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
32 . A method as claimed in claim 31 , wherein the research approach design is deployed incrementally in stages with each stage consisting of one or more independent sub-sets.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
33 . A method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the incentive offered to the participant is contingent on the timing of response and/or quality of response.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
90 words
34 . The system for automating the design of online marketing research activity, its deployment and the analysis and reporting of the obtained data comprising: marketing research objectives identification means, marketing information requirement determination means to meet said marketing research objectives, research approach design selection means, target group selection means for effectively deploying said marketing research approach design, deployment means for deploying said marketing research approach design including dynamically modifying said research approach design and/or target group of participants, means for collecting and analyzing data, and means for reporting findings.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
90 words
34 . The system for automating the design of online marketing research activity, its deployment and the analysis and reporting of the obtained data comprising: marketing research objectives identification means, marketing information requirement determination means to meet said marketing research objectives, research approach design selection means, target group selection means for effectively deploying said marketing research approach design, deployment means for deploying said marketing research approach design including dynamically modifying said research approach design and/or target group of participants, means for collecting and analyzing data, and means for reporting findings.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
35 . A system as claimed in claim 34 , wherein said marketing research objective identification means is a merchant objective specification tool for selecting from predefined objectives and/or their combinations and/or interrelationships.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
55 words
36 . A system as claimed in claim 34 , wherein said requirement determination means is information requirement analysis tool for mapping each said objective to a set of data analysis techniques, identifying associated data requirements, determining which required information is not available in existing data repositories and the desired format of such missing data.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
55 words
37 . A system as claimed in claim 34 , wherein said research approach design selection means is a research approach design selection tool for choosing from a repository of research designs based on said marketing information, computed cost of deployment including cost of personalization and incentivisation, and value of marketing information to be obtained.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
47 words
38 . A system as claimed in claim 34 , wherein said deployment means is a mechanism for adaptively adjusting the number and selection of participants and/or dynamically modifying said research design to suit an individual participant such that maximum information value is obtained at minimal cost.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
67 words
39 . A system as claimed in claim 35 , wherein said merchant objectives specification tool provides means for selecting from predefined objectives including sales forecast, product preference test, advertising campaign effectiveness studies, new product acceptance and potential, pricing studies, study of business trends, desired feature enhancement to a product, market share analysis, studies of coupons, marketing campaign design, and market structure study to spot new opportunities.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
40 . A system as claimed in claim 36 , wherein said information requirement analysis tool incorporates a mechanism for implementing data analysis techniques including conjoint analysis, segmentation using clustering based on attribute importance of product features, and collaborative filtering or demographic segmentation.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
41 . A system as claimed in claim 36 further including a mechanism for implementing an objective map technique for using a supervised learning technique for analysis of participant information.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
42 . A system as claimed in claim 37 including means for associating incentive, utility and gain values for each participant with each said research design used.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
43 . A system as claimed in claim 37 including a mechanism for using previous participant history of purchases, responses to research designs, click-stream information and any other available data.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
38 words
44 . A system as claimed in claim 37 including means for determining said incentives based on the value of information from the participant and the cost of collection of said information including the cost of said incentive.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
46 words
45 . A system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising mechanism for selecting said participants based on cost of reaching the participant, cost of incentives offered to ensure participation, the probability of obtaining a response and the cost of analysing and using the information collected.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
31 words
46 . A system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising means for using adaptive resampling technique for predicting a new participants' class and computing the uncertainty index for each participant.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
54 words
47 . A system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising mechanism for determining said incentives optimally, based upon the history of said participants responses to said research designs, probability of said participant responding to a given incentive, value of information expected to be received and cost of conducting the research on said participant.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
48 . A system as claimed in claim 38 further including means for incremental participant selection until a specified termination condition is reached.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
43 words
49 . A system as claimed in claim 38 including means for computing the value of the information expected from said participant using Bayes decision theory to compute expected incremental payoff from each participant, the total expected payoff, and the decline in uncertainty.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
24 words
50 . A system as claimed in claim 36 , wherein said means for mapping is a mechanism that operates iteratively with merchant interaction.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
23 words
51 . A system as claimed in claim 36 , wherein said means for mapping uses an incremental learning mechanism to improve output.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
45 words
52 . A system as claimed in claim 37 , wherein a selected one or more out of a plurality of approach means are used to determine required data, said approach means being selected by said merchant based on cost and merit of each approach.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
37 words
53 . A system as claimed in claim 34 further including learning means for identifying desired marketing research objective, determining marketing information required, and selecting the most appropriate research approach design, based on findings and merchant feedback.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
29 words
54 . A system as claimed in claim 36 , wherein said existing data repositories are available online either at all times or periodically or at specified time frames.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
58 words
55 . A system as claimed in claim 38 further including means for incorporating participant profile and/or preferences in responding to various research designs as a basis for selection of participants wherein profile includes expected response time, previous history of purchases, usage of coupons, response to advertisements and research designs, click-stream information and any other participant specific information.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
31 words
56 . A system as claimed in claim 38 further including means for incorporating the value of information as a function of the best prediction model from among several prediction models.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
57 . A system as claimed in claim 49 including means for computing said payoff based on one or more repetitive game(s).
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
30 words
58 . A system as claimed in claim 38 further including means for deploying said marketing research approach design over multiple participant sets each set being determined by selection techniques.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
27 words
59 . A system as claimed in claim 38 , wherein said participant selection uses incremental learning means and/or predictive mechansim and/or learning tools to improve output.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
16 words
60 . A system as claimed in claim 38 incorporating incremental learning means to improve incentivisation.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
39 words
61 . A system as claimed in claim 34 including a mechanism for using a plurality of marketing research approach designs, a different marketing research approach design being used for each participant based on ranking according to expected gains.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
39 words
62 . A system as claimed in claim 48 further including means for using a threshold on uncertainty or rate of change of uncertainty or information value or rate of change of information value for identifying said termination condition.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
41 words
63 . A system as claimed in claim 34 , wherein the research approach design consists of one or a combination of experimental designs to study the response to an advertisement, coupon or product recommendation and/or classification of participants and/or survey(s).
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
26 words
64 . A system as claimed in claim 34 , wherein said research approach design consists of a set of independent sub-sets of research approach designs.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
32 words
65 . A system as claimed in claim 64 , further including means for deploying said research approach design incrementally in stages with each stage consisting of one or more independent sub-sets.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
28 words
66 . A system as claimed in claim 37 , wherein the incentive offered to the participant is contingent on the timing of response and/or quality of response.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
153 words
67 . The computer program product comprising computer readable program code stored on a computer readable storage medium embodied therein for automating the design of online marketing research activity, its deployment and the analysis and reporting of the obtained data comprising: computer readable program code means configured for identifying the desired marketing research objectives, computer readable program code means configured for determining the marketing information required to meet said marketing research objectives, computer readable program code means configured for selecting the most appropriate research approach design, computer readable program code means configured for deciding the target group and costs for effectively deploying said marketing research approach design, computer readable program code means configured for deploying said marketing research approach design including dynamically modifying said research approach design and/or target group of participants, computer readable program code means configured for collecting and analyzing data, and computer readable program code means configured for reporting findings.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
153 words
67 . The computer program product comprising computer readable program code stored on a computer readable storage medium embodied therein for automating the design of online marketing research activity, its deployment and the analysis and reporting of the obtained data comprising: computer readable program code means configured for identifying the desired marketing research objectives, computer readable program code means configured for determining the marketing information required to meet said marketing research objectives, computer readable program code means configured for selecting the most appropriate research approach design, computer readable program code means configured for deciding the target group and costs for effectively deploying said marketing research approach design, computer readable program code means configured for deploying said marketing research approach design including dynamically modifying said research approach design and/or target group of participants, computer readable program code means configured for collecting and analyzing data, and computer readable program code means configured for reporting findings.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
45 words
68 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 67 , wherein said computer readable program code means configured for identifying the desired marketing research objectives is a merchant objective specification program code means for selecting from predefined objectives and/or their combinations and/or interrelationships.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
68 words
69 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 67 , wherein said computer readable program code means configured for determining the marketing information is an information requirement analysis program code means for mapping each said objective to a set of data analysis techniques, identifying associated data requirements, determining which required information is not available in existing data repositories and the desired format of such missing data.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
65 words
70 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 67 , wherein said computer readable program code means configured for selecting the research approach design is research approach design tool program code means for choosing from a repository of research designs based on said marketing information, computed cost of deployment including cost of personalization and incentivisation, and value of marketing information to be obtained.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
60 words
71 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 67 , wherein said computer readable program code means configured for deploying is a program code means for adaptively adjusting the number and selection of participants and/or dynamically modifying said research design program code means to suit an individual participant such that maximum information value is obtained at minimal cost.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
71 words
72 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 68 , wherein said merchant objectives specification program code means is configured for selecting from predefined objectives including sales forecast, product preference test, advertising campaign effectiveness studies, new product acceptance and potential, pricing studies, study of business trends, desired feature enhancement to a product, market share analysis, studies of coupons, marketing campaign design, and market structure study to spot new opportunities.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
46 words
73 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 69 , wherein said information requirement analysis program code means is configured for implementing data analysis techniques including conjoint analysis, segmentation using clustering based on attribute importance of product features, and collaborative filtering or demographic segmentation.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
35 words
74 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 69 including computer readable program code means configured for implementing an objective map technique for using a supervised learning technique for analysis of participant information.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
37 words
75 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 70 including computer readable program code means configured for associating incentive, utility and gain values for each participant with each said research design program code means used.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
40 words
76 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 70 further including computer readable program code means configured for using previous participant history of purchases, responses to research designs program code means, click-stream information and any other available data.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
46 words
77 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 70 further including computer readable program code means configured for determining said incentives based on the value of information from the participant and the cost of collection of said information including the cost of said incentive.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
53 words
78 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 71 further comprising computer readable program code means configured for selecting said participants based on cost of reaching the participant, cost of incentives offered to ensure participation, the probability of obtaining a response and the cost of analysing and using the information collected.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
38 words
79 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 71 further comprising computer readable program code means configured for using adaptive resampling technique for predicting a new participants' class and computing the uncertainty index for each participant.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
64 words
80 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 71 further comprising computer readable program code means configured for determining said incentives optimally, based upon the history of said participants responses to said research design program code means, probability of said participant responding to a given incentive, value of information expected to be received and cost of conducting the research on said participant.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
30 words
81 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 71 further including computer readable program code means configured for incremental participant selection until a specified termination condition is reached.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
50 words
82 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 71 including computer readable program code means configured for computing the value of the information expected from said participant using Bayes decision theory to compute expected incremental payoff from each participant, the total expected payoff, and the decline in uncertainty.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
31 words
83 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 69 , wherein said computer readable program code means configured for mapping is a mechanism that operates iteratively with merchant interaction.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
30 words
84 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 69 , wherein said computer readable program code means configured for mapping uses an incremental learning mechanism to improve output.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
53 words
85 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 69 further incorporating program code means for selecting one or more out of a plurality of computer readable program code approach means configured for determining required data, said approach means being selected by said merchant based on cost and merit of each approach.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
47 words
86 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 67 further including computer readable program code learning means configured for identifying desired marketing research objective, determining marketing information required and selecting the most appropriate research approach design program code means, based on findings and merchant feedback.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
31 words
87 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 65 , wherein said existing data repositories are available online either at all times or periodically or at specified time frames.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
69 words
88 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 67 further including computer readable program code means configured for incorporating participant preferences in responding to various research designs and/or participant profile program code means as a basis for selection of participants wherein profile includes expected response time, previous history of purchases, usage of coupons, response to advertisements and research designs, click-stream information and any other participant specific information.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
38 words
89 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 71 further including computer readable program code means configured for incorporating the value of information as a function of the best prediction model from among several production models.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
29 words
90 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 82 including computer readable program code means configured for computing said payoff based on one or more repetitive game(s).
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
40 words
91 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 71 further including computer readable program code means configured for deploying said marketing research approach design program code means over multiple participant sets each set being determined by selection techniques.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
33 words
92 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 71 , wherein said program code means for participant selection uses incremental learning algorithms and/or predictive techniques and/or learning tools to improve output.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
25 words
93 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 71 incorporating computer readable program code means configured to use incremental learning to improve incentivisation.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
42 words
94 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 67 , wherein a plurality of marketing research approach design program code are used, a different marketing research approach design being used for each participant based on ranking according to expected gains.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
48 words
95 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 81 , wherein said computer readable program code means is configured for using a threshold on uncertainty or rate of change of uncertainty or information value or rate of change of information value for identifying said termination condition
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
49 words
96 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 67 , wherein said research approach design program code means consists of one or a combination of experimental design program code means for studying the response to an advertisement, coupon or product recommendation and/or classification of customers and/or survey(s).
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
31 words
97 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 67 , wherein said research approach design program code means consists of a set of independent sub-sets of research approach designs.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
35 words
98 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 97 , wherein said research approach design program code means is deployed incrementally in stages with each stage consisting of one or more independent sub-sets.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
33 words
99 . A computer program product as claimed in claim 70 further including program code means for offering said incentive to the participant contingent on the timing of response and/or quality of response.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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